1989 Bowman Jose Rijo #322
Jose Rijo · Topps (under the Bowman brand) · Base
Player
Jose Rijo
Set
1989 Bowman
Year
1989
Card #
#322
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) - Likely lower due to visible surface damage. Centering is heavily shifted left-to-right (approx 70/30). Corners show slight blunting. Top edge has minor roughness.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps (under the Bowman brand)
Demand Level
Low. Part of the 'Junk Wax' era with millions of copies produced. Rijo is a respected pitcher with a brilliant 1990 postseason, but he lacks the Hall of Fame status required to drive significant modern demand for base cards.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.05 - $0.25
Graded Value
PSA 8: $5.00 - $10.00, PSA 9: $15.00 - $25.00, PSA 10: $45.00 - $60.00. Note: This specific card is not a candidate for grading due to low market value and surface flaws.
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales show individual raw copies of this card selling for $0.99 with free shipping (largely for the convenience of set fillers) or as part of large bulk lots where the individual value is negligible. PSA 10 copies occasionally reach $50, but copies in this condition typically hold no premium over base common prices.
Description
A classic 1989 Bowman Jose Rijo card featuring the oversized 2-1/2" x 3-3/4" format. The card displays Rijo in his Cincinnati Reds pullover warmup jacket against a bright blue sky background. The iconic rainbow border and Bowman 'B' logo are present in the upper left corner.
Key Features
Features 1990 World Series MVP Jose Rijo. Part of the first year of the modern Bowman revival. Oversized card format typical of the 1989 set.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity Confidence: High. The card stock shows the correct thickness and 'pulped' texture for 1989 Bowman. The color saturation and rainbow border pattern match known authentic examples. This card is not a target for counterfeiting due to its high print run and low market value.
Flaws to Note
Significant surface mark/ink spot on the player's forehead. Substantial left-to-right centering issues. Softness on the bottom left corner. Minor white chipping along the top edge. General surface wear visible on the matte card stock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a team set or bulk lot on eBay. Also suitable for 'Common' bins at local card shops or for trade at local card shows.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the grading fees will far exceed the card's worth. List it as part of a 1990 World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds lot or a Jose Rijo player lot to maximize buyer interest. Use a 'Plain White Envelope' (PWE) for shipping to keep costs low for the buyer.